Idioms and Phrases
Popular idioms and phrases for better expression • 101 idioms and phrases available
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A bad egg
dishonest or ill-behaved person
Example:
"He comes of a noble family but he himself is a bad egg."
A bird in hand is worth two in the bush
Having something for certain is better than the possibility of getting something better
Example:
"She almost sold her small but reliable business to chase a big investment scheme, but her father reminded her that a bird in hand is worth two in the bush."
A bird's eye view
a general, overall view from above; a broad overview
Example:
"Let's go up onto the roof and get a bird's-eye view of the surrounding area."
A bolt from the blue
something very surprising and unexpected
Example:
"The resignation of the chairman came like a bolt from the blue."
A bookworm
a person excessively devoted to studying or reading
Example:
"He has no time for social activities because he is a bookworm."
a daredevil
a fearless person who takes risks
Example:
"Only a daredevil can challenge the city mafia and bring them to their knees (figurative)."
A flash in the pan
a brief, fleeting success that is unlikely to be repeated
Example:
"The success of our school cricket team was a flash in the pan; next season was disappointing."
A leap in the dark
to take a risk with uncertain outcome
Example:
"You must not leap in the dark by entering the business without experience."
A red rag to a bull
something that provokes anger or strong reaction
Example:
"The new safety rules were a red rag to a bull for the old guard who wanted no change."
A snake in the grass
a secret enemy; a treacherous person who pretends to be a friend
Example:
"We were betrayed by a snake in the grass who leaked our plans to the competitor."
A thorn in one's flesh
a continual source of annoyance or trouble
Example:
"This recurring software bug is a thorn in my flesh — we can't get stable releases out."
Be in the same boat
to be in the same situation or share the same problem
Example:
"After the layoffs, everyone in the department was in the same boat."
Bear the brunt of
to endure the worst part of something (the main force of hardship)
Example:
"Ordinary citizens will bear the brunt of higher taxes."
Birthday suit
naked (informal)
Example:
"He jokingly said he was in his birthday suit when he opened the door by mistake."
Blow hot and cold
to vacillate between opposing opinions or attitudes
Example:
"Do not trust those who blow hot and cold about the plan — they change their mind constantly."
Bone of contention
a subject of disagreement or dispute
Example:
"The boundary line became the bone of contention between the two neighbours."
Break new ground
to do something innovative or pioneering
Example:
"Samsung is breaking new ground in consumer electronics."
Bring down the house
to receive huge applause or bring the audience to its feet
Example:
"The performer's set brought the house down and earned a standing ovation."
Burn the candle at both ends
to overwork oneself; to exhaust oneself by doing too much
Example:
"She'd been burning the candle at both ends studying for her competitive exams and made herself ill."
By fits and starts
to happen irregularly or intermittently
Example:
"If we study by fits and starts we can never be successful in our exams."
By hook or by crook
by any means necessary; one way or another
Example:
"She is determined to obtain first position in her class by hook or by crook."
By the sweat of one's brow
by hard physical labour; through one's own work
Example:
"Farmers grow crops by the sweat of their brows."
Cut a sorry figure
to give a poor or pathetic impression; to perform poorly
Example:
"The speaker cut a sorry figure when the microphone failed and he froze."
Cut no ice
to have no effect or influence
Example:
"That excuse for not completing your work cuts no ice with me," said the teacher."
Down and out
poor and ruined; in a hopeless condition
Example:
"After a slump in the share market he was down and out these days."
Draw a long bow
to exaggerate or stretch the truth
Example:
"He drew a long bow when describing his role in the company — it sounded far bigger than reality."
Egg on
to encourage or incite someone (often to do something unwise)
Example:
"The captain egged the players on to continue to struggle till the end of the match."
Every dog has his day
everyone will have a time of success or good fortune eventually
Example:
"Don't be disappointed — every dog has his day and opportunities will come."
Flesh and blood
human nature or kinship; human frailty
Example:
"People in some villages are so poor that their sufferings are more than flesh and blood can endure."
Give the devil his due
to acknowledge the good qualities of someone you dislike
Example:
"We should give the devil his due — he did complete the job despite his faults."